Plum tree named &#39;SUPLUMFORTYEIGHT&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plum tree variety,  Prunus salicina , cv. ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is characterized by late season harvest and fruit having a pure yellow skin and a cling stone. The fruit is high in sugar and has medium-low acidity. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is also abundant in juice and has a sweet-neutral flavor. The harvest of fruit from the new variety starts about 27 days earlier than ‘Flavor Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420) and about 5 days later than ‘Suplumsix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,747).

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus salicina

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Suplumfortyeight’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a new and distinct variety of plum, Prunus salicina cv. ‘Suplumfortyeight’. The new variety was first originated by hybridization in September 2005 by Terry A. Bacon as breeder number ‘PL624YY’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is characterized by late-season harvest and by fruit having a pure yellow skin and a cling stone. The fruit is high in sugar and has medium-low acidity. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is also abundant in juice and has a sweet-neutral flavor.

The seed parent is ‘Suplumfourteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,342), and the pollen parent is unknown (bulk pollen). The parent varieties were first crossed in February 2002, with the date of first sowing being February 2003, and the date of first flowering being February 2005. The new plum variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ was first asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. in January 2007 by grafting.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is distinguished from its seed parent ‘Suplumfourteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,342) by having fruit with a yellow skin compared to the red skin of the fruit of ‘Suplumfourteen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,342).

The harvest of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ starts about 5 days before the harvest of ‘Suplumsix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,747). The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ has a yellow skin color compared to the reddish-black skin of the fruit of ‘Suplumsix’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,747). The skin color of the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is somewhat similar to the skin color of the fruit of ‘Flavor Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420), but the skin color of the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ is nearly pure yellow compared to the green-yellow color of the fruit of ‘Flavor Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420). In addition, the harvest of the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ starts about 27 days later than ‘Flavor Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,420).

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’ has been shown to maintain its distinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagations by, for example, grafting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration FIG. 1 shows typical specimens of the foliage and fruit of the present new plum variety ‘Suplumfortyeight’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, the stone as a whole, and a sectional view of a fruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small letter signify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptly descriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate values based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to 9 year old ‘Suplumfortyeight’ trees, grown in the vicinity of Wasco, Kern County, Calif., during 2014, and is believed to apply to plants of the variety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

-   Tree: -   General: (Measurements taken on an 9 year old tree unless otherwise     noted.)     -   -   Size.—Medium, reaches a height of approximately 3 meters             including normal pruning.         -   Spread.—Approximately 3 meters.         -   Vigor.—Medium, growth of about 1.8 m to 2 m in height the             first growing season.         -   Growth.—Semi-upright.         -   Productivity.—Productive, fruit set is usually two or more             times desired amount for marketable size fruit. Thinning and             spacing of fruit is necessary.         -   Form.—Vase formed.         -   Bearer.—Regular.         -   Fertility.—Unknown, should be planted with another plum             variety to ensure consistent production.         -   Canopy density.—Medium, pruning is required to open tree             vase shape, allowing more sunlight to reach the center of             the tree.         -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.             Winter chilling requirement is approximately 750 hours at or             below 7.2° C.         -   Disease resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation             in Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease             resistance/susceptibility has been observed.         -   Insect resistance/susceptibility.—Under close observation in             Kern County, Calif., no particular plant/fruit insect             resistance/susceptibility has been observed. -   Trunk: (Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line on     mature tree.)     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 15 cm, and varies with soil type,             fertility, climatic conditions and cultural practices.         -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, increases with age of tree.         -   Trunk color.—About Dark Greyed-White 156A in exposed areas             to about Medium Greyed-Orange 164B in recesses; becomes             darker with age. -   Branches: (Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil line.)     -   -   Size.—Diameter approximately 9 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth to slightly shaggy, increasing with tree             age.         -   Color.—Varying between about Medium Greyed-Green 197D to             about Dark Greyed-Green 197B on exposed areas, to about             Medium Greyed-Orange 164C in recesses.         -   Lenticels.—Present. -   Lenticels:     -   -   Number.—Medium.         -   Density.—Varies with tree vigor and climatic conditions,             about 2/cm².         -   Color.—About Medium Grey-Brown 199B.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Length.—About 3 mm.         -   Width.—About 2 mm. -   Flowering shoots: (Data taken in September at mid-point of current     season growth.)     -   -   Size.—Average diameter approximately 5 mm.         -   Color.—Topside: About Dark Greyed-orange 176A. Underside:             About Dark Greyed-Orange 176A with about Medium Green 138B             background.         -   Internode length.—Medium; approximately 2 cm. Midway on             flowering shoot.         -   Flowering shoot lenticels.—Medium amount. Color: About             Medium Greyed-Orange 164B. Diameter: Approximately 0.5 mm.         -   Flowering shoot leaf buds.—Shape: Broad obovate. Width:             Approximately 2 mm. Length:. Approximately 2 mm. Color:             About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A.         -   Flowering shoot flower buds.—Shape: Ovoid. Width:             Approximately 1.2 mm. Length: Approximately 2 mm. Color:             About Dark Greyed-Orange 166A. Number of buds per node:             About 2-4, usually 2.         -   Intensity.—Medium.         -   Density of buds.—Medium.         -   Flower bud distribution.—On spurs and one year old shoots             and older wood.         -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1/2 on nodes.         -   Anthocyanin intensity.—Strong.         -   Spurs length.—Usually 5 mm.         -   Vegetative bud size.—Length 2 mm, width 1.5 mm.         -   Position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot.—Slightly             held out. -   Foliage: -   Leaves: (Data taken in September on fully expanded leaves at     mid-point of the current season growth.)     -   -   Size.—Medium.         -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 70 mm without petiole.         -   Average width.—Medium; approximately 32 mm.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Color.—Upper surface: About Medium Green 137B. Lower             surface: About Medium Green 137D.         -   Form.—Broad obovate.         -   Tip.—Cuspidate.         -   Base.—V-shaped.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Venation.—Pinately net veined.         -   Vein color.—About Light Green 138C.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Leaf blade (ratio of length to width).—Medium, about 2:1.         -   Shape in the cross section.—Concave.         -   Angle at apex.—Small.         -   Profile.—Up folded.         -   Leaf blade tip.—Curved downward.         -   Angle of tip.—Acute.         -   Undulation of margin.—Slight.         -   Glossiness of upper side.—weak.         -   Density of pubescence of lower side.—absent or very slight. -   Petiole:     -   -   Average length.—Medium; approximately 12 mm.         -   Average diameter.—Approximately 1.5 mm.         -   Color.—About Light Green 138C on shaded underside and about             Medium Greyed-Red 179B on topside where sunlight hits. -   Stipules:     -   -   Number/leaf bud.—Approximately 0-2 per leaf bud when             present.         -   Typical length.—Approximately 8 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Green 147C.         -   Persistence.—Falls off. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Form.—Globose.         -   Average number.—Approximately 0 to 3, usually 2.         -   Positioning.—On petiole, alternate.         -   Size.—Small, 1 mm diameter.         -   Color.—About Medium Greyed-Orange 178B in late summer. -   Flowers: -   General:     -   -   Flower blooming period.—First bloom: Approximately March 4.             Full bloom: Approximately March 8.         -   Location of first bloom.—Top of tree.         -   Location of full bloom.—Mid-section of the canopy.         -   Time of bloom.—Medium.         -   Duration of bloom.—Medium; approximately 12 days.         -   Diameter of fully opened flower.—Medium, approximately 7 mm.         -   Flower aroma.—Slight.         -   Shape.—Rosaceous. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Medium; approximately 11 mm.         -   Diameter.—Slender; approximately 1.5 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Petals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Free.         -   Length.—Approximately 9 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 7 mm.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base shape.—Narrows at point of attachment.         -   Color of inner and outer surface.—white.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Margins.—Undulating.         -   Frequency of flowers with double petals.—None.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Claw length.—Medium.         -   Margin waviness.—Medium.         -   Base angle.—Narrow.         -   Division of upper margin.—Entire.         -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent. -   Sepals:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Length.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Shape.—Triangular.         -   Color.—About Medium Green 143C.         -   Surface texture.—Smooth.         -   Margins.—Entire.         -   Positioning.—Adpressed to petals.         -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent.         -   Frequency of flowers with double sepals.—None. -   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Usually 25-30.         -   Average length.—About 1-10 mm.         -   Filament color.—white.         -   Anther color.—About Dark Greyed-Yellow 162A.         -   Flower pollen color.—About Dark Greyed-Yellow 162A when             dried.         -   Position.—Perigynous. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually one, ocassionally 2.         -   Average length.—Approximately 6-9 mm.         -   Ovary diameter.—Approximately 1 mm.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Stigma extension in comparison to anthers.—Usually below.         -   Style frequency of supplementary pistils.—Few. -   Receptacle:     -   -   Depth.—Medium.         -   Pubescence of inner surface.—Absent.         -   Pubescence of outer surface.—Absent. -   Ovary:     -   -   Pubescence.—Absent. -   Style:     -   -   Pubescence (of base).—Absent. -   Fruit: -   General: (Description taken near Wasco, Kern County, Calif. on     August 26.)     -   -   Date of first pick.—Approximately August 22.         -   Date of last pick.—Approximately September 1.         -   Maturity when described.—Firm-mature.         -   Season ripening.—Late.         -   Position of maximum diameter.—Middle.         -   Symmetry about the suture.—Symmetric.         -   Shape of base.—Flat. -   Size:     -   -   Length (stem end to apex).—Approximately 65 mm.         -   Diameter in line with suture plane.—Approximately 65 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 66 mm.         -   Average weight.—Approximately 161 gm. -   Form:     -   -   Viewed from apex.—Rounded.         -   Viewed from side, facing suture.—Rounded.         -   Viewed from side, perpendicular to suture.—Rounded. -   Apex shape: Rounded. -   Fruit stem cavity:     -   -   Shape.—Elongated in suture plane.         -   Depth.—Medium; Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Breadth.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Width.—Narrow. -   Fruit stem:     -   -   Length.—Medium; approximately 8 mm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Color.—About Light-Yellow-Green 147D.         -   Adherence to stone.—Weak. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Adherence to flesh.—Medium.         -   Surface texture.—Medium.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Bloom.—Medium.         -   Ground color.—About Medium Yellow-Green 151C when visible.         -   Overcolor.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 16A.         -   Relative area of overcolor.—100%.         -   Pattern of overcolor.—Nearly solid with slightly visible             lenticels.         -   Taste.—Neutral.         -   Reticulation.—Absent.         -   Roughness.—Absent.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Tendency to crack.—None in wet season. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Fine.         -   Fibers.—Few.         -   Flavor.—Sweet-neutral.         -   Brix.—Approximately 19°.         -   Juice.—Abundant to moderate.         -   Aroma.—Slight fruity aroma.         -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 14C.         -   Anthocyanin color around stone.—Absent.         -   Anthocyanin color offlesh.—Absent.         -   Acidity.—Medium-low.         -   Sugar content.—High.         -   Eating quality.—Good.         -   Stone/flesh ratio.—Small, about 1/30.         -   Firmness.—Medium. -   Pit cavity size:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 19 mm.         -   Diameter perpendicular to suture plane.—Approximately 14 mm.         -   Diameter in line with suture.—Approximately 10 mm.         -   Color.—About Medium Yellow-Orange 23C. -   Fruit use: Fresh market. -   Fruit shipping and keeping quality: Good. -   Stone:     -   -   Stone freeness.—Cling over the entire surface.         -   Degree of adherence to flesh.—Medium.         -   Stone size.—Size: Small Size compared to Fruit: Small.             Length: Medium, approximately 19 mm. Diameter in line with             suture plan: Approximately 14 mm. Diameter perpendicular to             suture plane: Approximately 10 mm. Width of Stalk End:             Medium, Approximately 6 mm. Angle of Stalk end: Right angle.             Hilum: Oval.         -   Stone form .—Viewed from side: Oval with flat base. Viewed             from ventral end: Flattened. Viewed from Stem end: Oval.         -   Stone shape.—Base shape: Nearly straight. Apex shape:             Rounded with small point.         -   Stone surface.—Slightly rough with irregular shallow             furrows.         -   Stone halves.—Nearly symmetrical.         -   Stone ridges.—Rough, rounded, continuous.         -   Stone outgrowing keel.—Partly developed.         -   Stone tendency to split.—Almost none.         -   Stone color.—About Dark Orange 26A.         -   Position of maximum.—Middle.         -   Sides.—Nearly equal.         -   Pits.—Angular.         -   Ventrical edge.—Narrow.         -   Dorsal edge.—Narrow continuous. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct plum tree as herein described and illustrated. 